just what the doctor ordered

Brace yourself guys - because here comes another photo-spammy post. What better way to ease into the weekend, right?

Tossing on the snackamore and a new-to-us fly bonnet (thanks Austen!) and hitting the trails sounded like the perfect antidote to a long week.

And don't let Isabel's seemingly miserable, tragic expression fool you - she was into it too. Mare came in from the field very quiet and easy going - and more or less indulged me as I dressed her all up in our favorite circus bridle. 

Then we were off!!

We've been hacking out often since Loch Moy in the name of conditioning. Mostly just along the fence lines and through the small field. Sometimes in the hackamore, and sometimes in a snaffle with the objective of actually going to work. 

But for this ride? We just wanted to take it easy and enjoy spring time in the woods. 

We went up and down and all around - over the hills and through most of the water. 

And Isabel honestly seemed to really enjoy it. 

The nicest part about hacking her out (esp when she's in this kind of mood) is that she can more or less be left entirely to her own devices. 

I actually specifically always put the running on her for trail rides just for the sake of the neck strap. She will stop and steer off just the neck strap, and I can leave her face entirely alone. 

Tho out in a large open area next to a development and electrical grid, she volunteered a trot, and then a rolling ambling canter. Sure, mare. Sounds good. Have at it!

While I've thought often of using that field for some speed work on the gently rolling hills, I've never actually attempted it. Mostly bc there's a good stretch of trail between the field and our barn. And I've figured that if she got all amped and snorty and fired up, it could potentially be a somewhat unpleasant hack home. 

On this day tho, it was perfect. She happily cantered up and down the hills, and whoa-ed very pleasantly to get back into the woods. 

And then, bc who can really resist, we had another little canter through our field next to the barn after making it back. Well, more like a hand gallop. So fun!

Isabel was just in the best possible mood. She felt good through her back, was calm and easy going, and generally just very pleasant to be around.

Plus she actually left the fly bonnet on for the entire ride - a first!!

And it was a perfect ride for me too. I felt like we accomplished some actual stuff - which pleases me bc I'm trying to make the rides count given my tricksy schedule. 

But it was also just one of those fun rides where you can just sit back and enjoy the horse and the experience. 

And it definitely left me feeling refreshed and ready for a busy busy weekend full of lots of fun stuff. What a perfect way to unwind!!